Solution to in-city drilling: Buy up mineral rights

Nov. 16, 2012

I think that there is a very simple solution to drilling wells in the city. If the city were to buy up all the mineral rights under city limits, they would not have to allow any drilling.

Since they already buy up water rights for the citizens, they can do the same with mineral rights. They could use eminent domain if necessary, and all future annexations to the city would require procuring the mineral rights under them. Problem solved and no conflict with the state.

Plus any minerals extracted from outside the city would earn a royalty.